THE HALF DECENT FOOTBALL MAGAZINE

13 August ~ Burnley are back in the Premier League and kick off their campaign today at home to Swansea, and there’s little doubt their fans would be delighted with a repeat of the 1960-61 season. Then Burnley, defending League champions, made it to the fifth round of the FA Cup where they met today’s opponents. It was the third time the teams had been drawn together in the Cup in four years and the Clarets, managed by Harry Potts, swept aside their second-tier visitors in front of 30,977 at Turf Moor.

7 August ~ Aston Villa begin their first season outside the top flight since 1987-88 today when they visit Sheffield Wednesday, a match which brings to mind another opening day clash between the two at Hillsborough.

9 July ~ France head into the Euro 2016 final against Portugal on Sunday evening as favourites and know that they have a superb record against their opponents over the years. France haven’t lost to Portugal since 1975, and have won every meeting between the two at a major tournament. While they have never met in a final, France have twice beaten Portugal in European Championship semi-finals and gone on to win the tournament.

Perhaps the most memorable – many would argue the best European Championship game of all time – came in Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome in 1984. France had demonstrated attacking brilliance up to that point, scoring nine goals in their three group games – of which Michel Platini got seven – while Portugal were in their first major competition since the 1966 World Cup.

France’s attacking play continued and Jean-François Domergue gave the hosts the lead on 25 minutes with a spectacular free-kick. They then forced Portuguese keeper Bento into a string of spectacular saves before Rui Jordão levelled things against the run of play with 15 minutes remaining. The Sporting striker gave Portugal the lead in extra-time before Domergue and then Platini saved the day for France.

The hosts went on to beat Spain 2-0 in the final, where Platini scored his ninth goal of the tournament, setting a record for a single European Championship. The two met again in the semi-final of Euro 2000, where France won 2-1 in extra time.

6 July ~ When Roy Hodgson and Gary Neville took over the tattered remains of Fabio Capello’s England squad, the nation was full of hope. Surely Mr Roy and his magic hair could lead the team to world domination, utilising the unique talents of James Milner. Here is the complete story of Mr Roy and Gary Neville from Euro 2012, through Brazil 2014 and on to this summer’s Euro 2016 in France, as told by Tim Bradford.

3 July ~ Iceland’s 2-1 victory over England last Monday means have reached the quarter-finals of their first-ever European Championship. Tonight they will face France, and a look back at the first-ever meeting between the two teams shows just how far the tiny island nation have come in footballing terms.

2 July ~ An in-depth analysis of the German team at Euro 2016. At times it seems like the return of Sexy Football, last seen in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup. But do Germany still want to be sexy? Or will they opt for those old favourites, pragmatism and efficiency? And can neutrals still get excited by them? We'll all find out soon enough.